Around the House
How Do I Clean a Disney Stuffed Animal
Been to a Disney theme park? Then there is a good chance that you are a proud owner of at least one Disney plush toy. Whether it’s one of the Fab Five (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, or Pluto), or one of the hundreds of other Disney characters, there is no doubt your stuffed animal fills a special place in your home.
In my house, there are several stuffed animals that have a sentimental value that far exceeds the cash value we could get if we sold the item on eBay! If the toy has sat on a shelf as a collectible for years or been dragged around as a best friend, there are several options available to keep it looking its best for infinity and beyond.
The Solution in 4 Steps:
Step 1: Check the label. Not all plush toys are created equal. Just like clothing, there are some materials that require delicate care that can only be achieved by hand cleaning. Other fabrics can be tossed into the washing machine. Older, collectible plush Disney toys will require you to treat them as delicate items. Recently purchased Disney Parks’ toys will likely be machine washable.
If the tag is not on the item, you need to do a little detective work. If you have a similar toy, made with the same type of material, consult the label on the other toy.
If you cannot find a care label, then follow our instructions below for “Surface Spot Cleaning.”
Step 2: Vacuum. Using an upholstery tool, gently vacuum any loose dust, dirt, and debris from the stuffed animal. In the cleaning world, we remind ourselves all the time that it is easier to clean dry dirt than wet mud. The same is true for your Disney friend. If there are dry particles on the toy, when you wet the item, those dry bits will attach to the fabric, making them more difficult to remove (not impossible, just more difficult).
Step 3: Test the fabric for colorfastness. Having a carpet cleaning background, I am a fan of making sure that the colors will not bleed when cleaned. To do this, wet a clean, white towel with the cleaning solution you plan to use to clean the plush. Simply press the towel against the fabric. Hold for about 20 seconds. Check the towel to see if any color has transferred from the toy to the towel. If not, then you are good to go. If yes, then you should opt for careful surface cleaning.
Step 4: Choose from the following types of cleaning:
Hand Wash
Fill a sink with water. Add about two teaspoons of laundry detergent per gallon of water. It’s an approximate measure - feel free to use extra detergent if your item is particularly filthy. Submerge the stuffed animal; followed by scrubbing (this is a good opportunity to involve a young Disney fan!).
Rinse the stuffed animal by repeating the process with clear water.
Extract excess water by wrapping the plush toy in a clean, white towel. Squeeze gently. Repeat until very little moisture is transferred to the towel.
Allow the toy to air dry.
For faster drying, place the toy in front of a fan.
Machine Wash
Place the plush in a mesh laundry bag or pillow case to protect it while in the washing machine.
Use cold water on a gentle cycle. Add detergent as you would for a small load of laundry.
Place in a dryer on a low heat setting (consult the care tag, as some plush items may recommend air drying).
Allow the toy to air dry. As mentioned above, placing the toy in front of a fan will facilitate faster drying.
Surface Spot Cleaning
Mix a small amount of laundry detergent (a couple of teaspoons) in a bowl of water. As above, the measure is approximate.
Dip a clean, white towel in the mixed detergent. A white towel is preferred because you do not want to accidentally transfer color from the towel to the toy.
Gently scrub the toy with the clean, white towel. Work systematically. Start with the top and work your way down the toy, making sure to clean all crevices.
Follow-up by blotting with a clean, dry white towel.
Set aside to air dry. Use a fan for faster drying.
Pro Tips:
Additional Resources:
Whirlpool: How to Wash Stuffed Animals
The Spruce: How to Clean Stuffed Toys
New York Times: How to Clean Stuffed Animals and Dolls
In my house, there are several stuffed animals that have a sentimental value that far exceeds the cash value we could get if we sold the item on eBay! If the toy has sat on a shelf as a collectible for years or been dragged around as a best friend, there are several options available to keep it looking its best for infinity and beyond.
The Solution in 4 Steps:
Step 1: Check the label. Not all plush toys are created equal. Just like clothing, there are some materials that require delicate care that can only be achieved by hand cleaning. Other fabrics can be tossed into the washing machine. Older, collectible plush Disney toys will require you to treat them as delicate items. Recently purchased Disney Parks’ toys will likely be machine washable.
If the tag is not on the item, you need to do a little detective work. If you have a similar toy, made with the same type of material, consult the label on the other toy.
If you cannot find a care label, then follow our instructions below for “Surface Spot Cleaning.”
Step 2: Vacuum. Using an upholstery tool, gently vacuum any loose dust, dirt, and debris from the stuffed animal. In the cleaning world, we remind ourselves all the time that it is easier to clean dry dirt than wet mud. The same is true for your Disney friend. If there are dry particles on the toy, when you wet the item, those dry bits will attach to the fabric, making them more difficult to remove (not impossible, just more difficult).
Step 3: Test the fabric for colorfastness. Having a carpet cleaning background, I am a fan of making sure that the colors will not bleed when cleaned. To do this, wet a clean, white towel with the cleaning solution you plan to use to clean the plush. Simply press the towel against the fabric. Hold for about 20 seconds. Check the towel to see if any color has transferred from the toy to the towel. If not, then you are good to go. If yes, then you should opt for careful surface cleaning.
Step 4: Choose from the following types of cleaning:
Hand Wash
Fill a sink with water. Add about two teaspoons of laundry detergent per gallon of water. It’s an approximate measure - feel free to use extra detergent if your item is particularly filthy. Submerge the stuffed animal; followed by scrubbing (this is a good opportunity to involve a young Disney fan!).
Rinse the stuffed animal by repeating the process with clear water.
Extract excess water by wrapping the plush toy in a clean, white towel. Squeeze gently. Repeat until very little moisture is transferred to the towel.
Allow the toy to air dry.
For faster drying, place the toy in front of a fan.
Machine Wash
Place the plush in a mesh laundry bag or pillow case to protect it while in the washing machine.
Use cold water on a gentle cycle. Add detergent as you would for a small load of laundry.
Place in a dryer on a low heat setting (consult the care tag, as some plush items may recommend air drying).
Allow the toy to air dry. As mentioned above, placing the toy in front of a fan will facilitate faster drying.
Surface Spot Cleaning
Mix a small amount of laundry detergent (a couple of teaspoons) in a bowl of water. As above, the measure is approximate.
Dip a clean, white towel in the mixed detergent. A white towel is preferred because you do not want to accidentally transfer color from the towel to the toy.
Gently scrub the toy with the clean, white towel. Work systematically. Start with the top and work your way down the toy, making sure to clean all crevices.
Follow-up by blotting with a clean, dry white towel.
Set aside to air dry. Use a fan for faster drying.
Pro Tips:
- BATTERY OPERATED TOYS SHOULD NEVER BE SUBMERGED IN WATER. If the toy has any electronic components (such as a sound effect or light-up feature), then you should only spot clean the surface.
- Remove any paper tags that may be on the toy before placing it in a washing machine. This may be problematic if the tags are being kept on the toy for collectable reasons. If so, then only use the surface wash technique, being careful to not ruin the tags during the cleaning process.
- Less is more. I'm a firm believer that the less water and chemicals you need to clean with, the better. If your item sits on a shelf and only has surface dust on it, why risk putting it in a washing machine? I would stick with vacuuming and light surface cleaning. If it’s been dragged through the mud, then by all means, submerge that critter in the wash!
- Get that toy dried as quickly as possible! Use a fan or place in a clothes dryer, set to the lowest possible setting, to get the toy dried. If placed in storage while still damp, you have inadvertently created an environment for mold and mildew to grow.
- Fresh air is your friend when it comes to efficient drying. For instance, if you have a deck, place the item on a towel with a fan blowing on it (yes, even though it is outside). This will help facilitate fast, effective drying. Turn the plush over after an hour to let the other side dry as well. Complete drying of the interior can take over 24 hours. Do not rush this process (ESPECIALLY if you have plans to place the item in a storage container after cleaning).
Additional Resources:
Whirlpool: How to Wash Stuffed Animals
The Spruce: How to Clean Stuffed Toys
New York Times: How to Clean Stuffed Animals and Dolls